FIVE QUALITIES OF A GOOD SOLDIER, 2 Timothy

[Pages:2]FIVE QUALITIES OF A GOOD SOLDIER, 2 Timothy Original author unknown, posted by Bob Young

One day, our lives will all be over! One day every person in this room will be just a memory. When you leave this world, what kind of legacy will you leave behind? When people remember the kind of person you were, will they remember you as a soldier of the cross? As Paul neared the end of his life, he languished in a Roman prison. From that cell, he took steps to ensure he would be remembered as a good soldier of the cross. He wrote to Timothy and gave him the secret for becoming a good soldier. Five Qualities of a Good Soldier. This text will encourage and challenge each of us to become the best soldiers that we can be for the glory of the Lord.

I. 2:3 HE IS A FOLLOWER A. Implies Relationship (The first step is to sign on.) No one can be a soldier for the Lord until he joins the army. This is done only through receiving Jesus as one's Savior, John 3:3; Eph. 2:8-9; Acts 16:31. B. Implies Rank (There is always someone higher than you.) This is true in the Lord's army. Every child of God is under Jesus and is responsible for following Him and His will for their lives, 1 Cor. 6:19-20. C. Implies Rule (To refuse to follow orders is treason.) In the Lord's Army, we have the obligation of obeying His orders even unto the death. The call of Christ that has not changed, Matt. 16:24. When we refuse to live as the Lord desires, then we cross the line from follower to traitor, James 4:17.

II. 2:3-4; 4:7b HE IS FAITHFUL A. 2:3 His Patience - Endures hardship and does not quit. The good soldier realizes that there will be troubles along the way and is not deterred by them. He understands that pain is often part of the Christian experience, John 16:33. The Christian faces life with patience, Heb. 12:1. B. 2:4 His Priorities - Seeks to please the Commander. The good soldier has no higher goal than pleasing His Superior. The good soldier knows that anything that interferes with his performance must be eliminated. The good soldier wants to please his Superior and does whatever he has to do to get that job done. Pleasing Jesus ought to be the first priority of every child of God. (1 Cor. 10:31; 1 Cor. 6:20) C. 4:7b His Practice - Guards the truth of the faith. The good soldier takes care of the things delivered unto him. He is determined to do a good job, and he refuses to do anything to bring disgrace and dishonor upon his Superior (Phil. 1:27; Col. 1:10; 1 Thess. 2:11-12.)

III. HE IS FAMILIAR WITH A. The Sound of the Commander's Voice - (John 10:3-5) One way to get more familiar with the Lord's voice is to spend more time listening to it. You can do this by getting in the Word. Do you know Him when He speaks? B. The Skill of Using His Weapons - (Eph. 6:10-18) The good soldier knows that he is engaged in mortal warfare and that the only way to succeed in the fight is to be proficient in the use of

spiritual weaponry. You and I must learn the art of spiritual warfare if we intend to succeed for the glory of the Lord. C. The Strategy of the Enemy - (2 Cor. 11:14; 1 Pet. 5:8) The good soldier knows the enemy is ever active and never rests. The good soldier knows the enemy is shrewd and ever attacking. He knows the Lord is there to help him, Heb. 13:5. He knows that God will make a way of escape for him, 1 Cor. 10:13. The good soldier studies the methods of the enemy and learns the weaknesses; these he exploits to the fullest extent of his ability. The good Christian soldier must be wise to the ways of the devil; he must know that Jesus is greater than any enemy, 1 John 4:4. D. The Shadows of His Friends - (Heb. 11:25) The good soldier not only cares about his own welfare, but he also looks out for the welfare of his fellow soldiers, Gal. 6:2. He learns about them by being around them. There is a need for the soldiers of the Lord to train together.

IV. 4:7 HE IS A FIGHTER A. He Is Determined - The good soldier does not retreat in the face of the enemy, he does not run from a fight. He stands his ground and fights until the battle is over. (1 Tim. 1:19-20) B. He Is Driven - The good soldier realizes that the battle does not run according to his time frame. He knows that another is in charge of the duration of the battle, but the good soldier is driven to finish. The good soldier is in the battle to the finish. Are you? What would it take to make you quit this morning? Many Christians are about one disaster and one service away from quitting on the Lord. Does that describe you? I challenge you to keep serving and keep fighting! C. He Is Dedicated - The good soldier dedicates himself to keeping his oath. He is determined to live for the Lord regardless of the personal cost. The good soldier keeps the faith, do you? He keeps it by living it, sharing it and defending it all the time. The faith is precious to the good soldier and he does everything in his power to keep it pure and undefiled.

V. 4:7-8 HE IS A FINISHER A. He Has Resolve -The good soldier is in it for the long haul. He does not quit at the first hint of trouble. He is a finisher. God give us Christians with the attitude of finishers. B. He Has a Reason -Why does the good soldier endure hardship, stay in the fight, and follow the Leader selflessly? The good soldier knows the price paid by his Superior to make a place for him in the army. The good soldier knows his lord loves him and that Jesus died to make a way of salvation for him. Therefore, he loves the Lord and no price becomes too high for the good soldier to pay. C. He Has His Reward - The good soldier finishes his course because he knows that at the end of the war, every deed will be rewarded by the Commander in chief. For those who stay in the battle, there will come a glad day of blessing. They will here the Lord say, "Well done thou good and faithful servant..." (Matt. 25:21,23) What will be awaiting you when you meet Jesus?

Conclusion: Are you a good soldier of the Lord? If you are like me, you probably recognize areas where you could be a better soldier. I challenge you to come to the Lord right now and let Him make things as they should be. If you have never joined the army of the Lord, then today would be a good time to make that a reality. When you pass from the scene, will it be said that you were a good soldier of the Lord? That is up to you!

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